Apple iPad Air opening weekend sales to set a new record

Apple might be facing big issues with the production of the Retina screen-packing second generation of its iPad mini, but the iPad Air appears to be more than capable of making up for it. According to Piper Jaffray's analyst Gene Munster, the Air might be able to post a new record for opening weekend sales, beating the achievement of the iPad 4 and the first iPad mini from last year.

Last year the two Apple tablets launched simultaneously and sold a total of 3 million units. This year Mr. Munster estimates that the iPad Air sales alone will be in the 2.5 to 3.5 million range. We’ll know the exact number tomorrow, when Apple releases its traditional press release, but the performance is certainly impressive.

Of course we shouldn’t forget that the Apple iPad Air got a much wider initial release than its predecessor. The latest slate hit 52 countries in its opening weekend, including every major market out there, while its predecessor was only available in 27 market initially. There was also the slight price cut that could have helped persuade a few people who were initially sitting on the fence.

"Of course we shouldn’t forget that the Apple iPad Air got a much wider initial release than its predecessor. The latest slate hit 52 countries in its opening weekend, including every major market out there, while its predecessor was only availa...